Side-by-Side Comparison
Model Makers, Wood leads 4–1| Metric | Model Makers, Wood | Machinists |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Score | 18.5% | 36.8% |
| Risk Tier | Low Risk | Medium Risk |
| Risk Percentile | 4th | 71th |
| Tasks at Risk (>50%) | 4 / 14 | 9 / 15 |
| Median Salary | $51,850 | $56,150 |
| Employment | 360 | 299K |
Skill Comparison
|
Sorted by largest difference
Design
Thinking Creatively
MathematicsAI-Vulnerable
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People
Engineering and Technology
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
Scheduling Work and Activities
Mechanical
Handling and Moving Objects
Protective Factors
Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement
Model Makers, Wood
28%
total discount
Machinists
26%
total discount
Task Risk Comparison
Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable
Model Makers, Wood
4 of 14 at risk87%Maintain pattern records for reference.
83%Issue patterns to designated machine operators.
79%Mark identifying information on patterns, parts, and templates to indicate assembly methods and details.
53%Plan, lay out, and draw outlines of units, sectional patterns, or full-scale mock-ups of products.
45%Read blueprints, drawings, or written specifications, and consult with designers to determine sizes and shapes of patterns and required machine setups.
Machinists
9 of 15 at risk86%Program computers or electronic instruments, such as numerically controlled machine tools.
84%Study sample parts, blueprints, drawings, or engineering information to determine methods or sequences of operations needed to fabricate products.
70%Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments such as micrometers or vernier calipers.
63%Monitor the feed and speed of machines during the machining process.
57%Measure, examine, or test completed units to check for defects and ensure conformance to specifications, using precision instruments, such as micrometers.
Wage Comparison
Machinists earns +$4,300(+8%) vs Model Makers, Wood
Model Makers, WoodMachinists
10th
$24,710$38,100
25th
$40,420$46,250
Median
$51,850$56,150
75th
$80,380$64,910
90th
$95,850$78,760
Premium Head-to-Head Analysis
Displacement Timeline Comparison
Model Makers, Wood2028–2035
Machinists2028–2035
20242030203520402045
Model Makers, Wood has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Machinists.
Risk-Adjusted Salary
Salary weighted by displacement risk: salary × (1 − risk%)
Model Makers, Wood
$42,253
from $51,850
Machinists
$35,492
from $56,150
After adjusting for AI risk, Model Makers, Wood offers $6,760 more in risk-adjusted pay.
Transition Feasibility
1%
Skill Overlap
Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition
0
Unique to Model
0
Unique to Machinists
Combined Protection Strategy
Regardless of which path you choose, focus on these protective factors
Creativity
Decision Complexity
Fine Manipulation
Regulatory Barriers
Model Makers, WoodMachinists